A major limited edition publication and two new exhibitions will be unveiled this August, celebrating 45 years of Artbank – Australia’s national art collection and leasing program.
Launching on 8 August, On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection is a significant publication that delves into the history of the dynamic program, its impact on the contemporary art landscape in Australia over 45 years, and the incredible artworks within the collection.
Established in 1980 as a federal artist support program, Artbank is a unique public art collection and leasing program that operates under the philosophy that art is for everyone.
Conceived with the bold vision to nurture Australian creativity by acquiring works by living Australian artists while simultaneously bringing art into the public domain, the Artbank collection is a significant national asset, including over 11,000 works by more than 3,500 artists from across Australia, celebrating the diversity of creative expression across the country.
With over half the collection on lease at any time, Artbank places contemporary Australian art in homes, workplaces and public institutions in an affordable and accessible way, promoting the value of Australian contemporary art to the broader public.
“On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection tells Artbank’s story from its origins through to today, highlighting its enduring cultural impact and role in embedding art into everyday Australian life,” said Artbank Director, Zoë Rodriguez. “It reinforces the impact that Artbank has had on the Australian arts sector over the past 45 years and its enduring and far-reaching legacy.”
The publication features a rich compilation of artwork images, client displays, archival material, and personal reflections from artists, gallerists, and clients, alongside a detailed text tracing the Artbank story.
This includes quotes from artists about their experience of being collected by Artbank, with artist Tony Albert noting: “My work was purchased for the Artbank collection while I was an emerging artist, which was a really wonderful opportunity for me at that time,” said Albert. “For any artist, being part of a national collection gives immense validation. It is like the pinnacle of what you’re looking for.”
Inaugural Artbank Director Graeme Sturgeon who led Artbank from 1980 until 1990, is quoted in the book speaking to the importance of the organisation for the country: “It’s probably more accurate to describe Artbank as a library of art, rather than a bank. We don’t take the work and keep it hidden away,” said Sturgeon.
Respected gallerist Roslyn Oxley, Director, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery also speaks to Artbank’s imprint on the sector in relation to female artists: “Championing living women artists is something that has always been important to us, and to have Artbank’s support throughout the years has been so important to those artists and the gallery. Artbank has most definitely been at the forefront of supporting living women artists,” said Oxley.
To celebrate Artbank’s 45th anniversary and to launch the accompanying publication, Artbank will present two free exhibitions across its Melbourne and Sydney spaces.
In the Melbourne exhibition space from 8 August until 10 October 2025, On Display will pay physical homage to Artbank’s history and bring the pages of the book to life. The exhibition features artworks by 26 leading and emerging Australian artists, such as Sidney Nolan, Jeffrey Smart, Margaret Olley, Emily Kam Kngwarray, Patricia Piccinini, Howard Arkley, Emma Busswell and Jean Barth – all drawn from the Artbank collection.
In the Sydney Window space from 28 August until 24 October 2025, Art Text/Text Art continues the theme of telling Australian stories through text and image. Curated by Artbank’s founding Curator James Kenny and current Curator Oliver Watts, the exhibition features Artbank collection works by artists Ian W. Abdulla, Darcey Bella Arnold, Chayni Henry, Heather Koowootha, Michael Lindeman, Alasdair McLuckie and Tom Polo.
On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection will be available from Artbank from 8 August 2025.
Images: Artbank Curator Paul Adair and Collections Officer Katie Tremschnig in the Artbank Melbourne collection store, 2025. Artwork featured is Jemima Wyman, Scapeology (Waterfall), 2005 – photo by Nicole England | On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection – courtesy of Artbank